Koh Tao is a small island located in the Gulf of Thailand, known for its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and beautiful views of the gulf. We have had Koh Tao on our radar for a long time and finally my daughter Silvana and I had the opportunity to go there this past summer.
The island of Koh Tao is commonly referred as “The murder Island” or “The death Island,” due to the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in 2014 and now part of the series Murder in Paradise.
After learning about this, we had been a bit hesitant of going there, but finally the pros were much bigger than the cons. For us, was mainly scuba diving. Koh Tao it’s known to be a main hub in southeast Asia for diving and one of several inexpensive places to get certified through PADI or SSI and each dive for around USD $ 30.
By saying this, Koh Tao is also a great place to just relax either alone, with friends or family. It is known for its party scene, snorkeling, hiking and breath-taking views from its highest peaks. Also, if you are a seafood lover, Koh Tao is also a good place to eat well.
Here is a short guide on how to get there, activities to do, places to visit, and recommendations on where to eat.
Getting there
The easiest way to get to Koh Tao is to catch a flight to the island of Koh Samui and then take a ferry to Koh Tao. You can find decent flights on Google Travel and book your ferry in advance via Bookaway and include the transfer to the dock so a minivan will be at the airport when you arrive. You can also take a bus/ferry combo from Bangkok but it will take you anywhere from 9-16 hours depending on the company that you choose. We chose this second option as we were in Bangkok and was the cheapest option, as flights to Koh Samui tend to be pricier than going to the capital. We purchased our bus and ferry tickets directly on the Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran website.
Activities to do in Koh Tao
Scuba Diving: Koh Tao is known for its scuba diving spots, and it’s a great place to get scuba diving certified. You can find many diving schools on the island. After much research, our choice was Scuba Shack and we weren’t wrong. The service and knowledge of their diving instructors was top notch. It had been a while since our last dive in Malapascua, Philippines, so a refresher was a must. After that we had a great time with our 6 day, 10 dive package, priced very reasonably. We highly recommend Scuba Shack. If diving is your thing, then make sure you take an underwater camera. You do not need to break the bank to own a decent one, our choice was the AKASO Brave 7 LE for a little over USD $ 100, and it did not disappoint.
Beach Hopping: There is no shortage of beautiful beaches on Koh Tao, so you can spend your entire vacation beach hopping.
John-Suwan Viewpoint: This is a great spot to experience the true beauty of Koh Tao. You can hike to the top and enjoy the stunning views of the island.
Snorkeling: You can go snorkeling at Hin Wong Bay, Shark Bay, and Mango Bay, among others.
Day Trip to Koh Nang Yuan: You can take a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan, a pair of small islands right by the west coast of Koh Tao. You can enjoy the twin island viewpoint, snorkel, and relax on the beach.
Partying: If hanging out in bars, dancing and the night life, Koh Tao will not let you down. Here is a Trip Advisor recommendation on the top 10 clubs in the island.
Other Places to visit
Ao Tanot Bay: This is a beautiful beach on the island.
Koh Nang Yuan: This is a pair of small islands right by the west coast of Koh Tao. You can enjoy the twin island viewpoint, snorkel, and relax on the beach.
Sai Nuan Beach: This is a beautiful and quiet beach on the island.
Recommendations where to eat
Love Koh Tao: This is a great spot to enjoy a coffee and breakfast.
Barracuda Restaurant: This is a great spot to enjoy seafood and Thai cuisine.
Yang Thai Food: This is a great spot to enjoy Thai cuisine at a reasonable price.
Koh Tao is a great place to relax, enjoy the beach, and explore the island’s natural beauty. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, Koh Tao has something for everyone, including families.
Recommendations where to stay: During our entire visit, we stayed at the small, yet beautiful and quiet Clear View Resort, located a walk of 10 minutes from the heart of the island where you can find everything you need. The swimming pool of the resort is surely to delight you as well.
Keep traveling, keep learning!
